Are You Still
Dedicated to the
Lord’s Calling?
by Steve Millar
therefore thy servant an
understanding heart to judge thy people,
that I may discern between good and bad:
for who is able to judge this thy so great a
people (I Kings 3:8,9)?
The Lord was so pleased with Solomon’s
request that He gave him much more than just
the wisdom and knowledge he had requested.
And I have also given thee that which thou
hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so
that there shall not be any among the kings
like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt
walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and
my commandments, as thy father David
did walk, then I will lengthen thy days
(I Kings 3:13,14). That is just like our God.
When we have a heart dedicated toward Him
and His ways, He will bless us above and
beyond what we ask for.
King Solomon Failed
King Solomon started out strong in the
Lord; but unfortunately, he ended his 40-yearreign
by failing God. What happened to King
Solomon and his dedication to the Lord?—
neglect. When you neglect something, you
give it little attention or discard it altogether.
King Solomon was so preoccupied with his
wealth, his prosperity and his many wives that
he neglected his relationship with the Lord
and lost his dedication to his true calling.
Solomon was to have led God’s people in
holiness and righteousness and showed the
world a nation that was under the leadership
of a true and living God; but instead, he
married heathen women who corrupted his
thinking and turned his heart to idol worship.
Be ye strong therefore, and let not
your hands be weak: for your work shall be
rewarded (II Chronicles 15:7). What causes
a child of God to start out strong in the Lord
and be ready to do whatever He calls on
them to and then fail? The answer is that
they lose their dedication to the Lord, and
they neglect the time they should be spending
with Him.
King Solomon started out strong in the Lord.
Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the
statutes of David his father (I Kings 3:3).
But later, he failed God because he didn’t stay
on fire for the Lord; and he let himself get
comfortable and neglectful.
In the beginning of Solomon’s reign, God
recognized his dedication and his love for the
truth in the Word. In fact, the Lord appeared
to Solomon in a dream and said, Ask what
I shall give thee (I Kings 3:5). The Lord
wanted to reward Solomon for his dedication
and faithfulness, and I’m sure He would have
given Solomon anything he asked for; but
instead of asking for riches or a long and prosperous
life, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule
God’s people.
Solomon first said, And now, O LORD
my God, thou hast made thy servant king
instead of David my father: and I am but
a little child: I know not how to go out or
come in (I Kings 3:7). At that time, Solomon
was no longer a child; but that was his way of
letting the Lord know that he was inexperienced
and needed the Lord’s guidance.
Solomon went on to say, And thy servant
is in the midst of thy people which thou
hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be
numbered nor counted for multitude. Give
8